Tooth positioner effects on occlusal contacts and treatment outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if an increase in tooth contacts is the principal effect of tooth positioner wear.


METHODS
Patient charts from a consecutive series were reviewed until a sample of 100 cases that used a tooth positioner was obtained. One hundred control cases were randomly selected from patients treated at the same period. Malocclusion severity and finished occlusion were assessed with the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Discrepancy Index (DI) and Objective Grading System (OGS) score, respectively. Finish casts for each patient were mounted on a Galleti articulator. Occlusal registrations were obtained with silicone-based impression material from casts fabricated from impressions taken at the time of fixed appliance removal (control) or at the end of the tooth positioner treatment (experimental). The number of the perforations and transparent areas on the occlusal registrations were quantified.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference (P = .20) in the number of total occlusal contacts between the two groups. However, the OGS score of the tooth positioner group (16.7) was significantly (P = .0009) better than for the control group (19.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Tooth positioners were effective in improving the occlusal finish, but the effects were independent of an increase in occlusal contacts. Positioners primarily improved first order alignment by tipping teeth into an improved intercuspation.
Park
Yongjong
Y
Department of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Hartsfield
James Kennedy
JK
Katona
Thomas R
TR
Eugene Roberts
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D003765:Models, Dental; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012690:Serial Extraction; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013499:Surface Properties; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers